Track event last weekend. Two full days. Rained both days. Hawk DTC-70 pads. Stock wheels and tires. Was traveling this week and couldn't wash my filthy car until today. Brake dust appears to be baked on. It must have been a combination of DTC-70 brake dust that was wet when it hit the wheels, combined with some heat and sitting for 5 days. Whatever the reason, this stuff won't come off. I'm afraid to try anything abrasive. Standard wheel cleaner has no affect. If I scrub one spot for a few minutes with a wash mit and soap I can make some progress. And I can scratch it off with my finger nail, so I know if can be removed.

I might have to try that. My brake dust is about 50x what is shown in your first picture. Right about now I would be thrilled to have the same results as the first picture.

I think part of my problem is the brade dust compound (from track pads). I may try heating it up with my heat gun. That might soften it.

I know exactly what you are talking about....A literal line of caked rusted metal particles around the wheel. It's horrible. I worked for over 2 hours to clean up a set of wheels and got them looking a little better than the first picture and I was ecstatic with that... especially since they weren't my wheels. You will definitely have to use something abrasive if you do it by hand. Sounds like it's going to be elbow grease or easy off..

Nothing is very effective. I suspect I could get it all clean with hours and hours of scrubbing, then be left with a damaged finish. The pic is one small section of one wheel. Even the lug holes are caked with this junk. Granted the rears are in good shape, but both fronts are trashed. I think I'm going to surrender and get my wheels refinsihed.

New question - what finish would resist baked on brake dust better, painted or powder coated?

I actually went and bought some sonax wheel cleaner and damn does it work! My friend saw me using it and he had caked on break dust from three years! All i did was use a paint brush and spray a little and rub the paint brush over it. Spray wait and brush ,spray wait n brush it took me 5 times cause he has these shut 20 mulitspoke magz! It all came off!

While this is a pretty old blog, i will say that I ry to make sure that i keep the wheels waxed. Usually when i do dust runs with water. However, a synthetic scuff padd will get is off without too much damage. very light pressure is needed. Then you will have to polish and then wax the wheels to removed the fine scratches that the scuff pad leaves. i usually let the scuff pad fall under its own weight then rub back and forth. You can scratch the rims that way if you arent careful.

Where can I get this stuff you speak of sir! ;-P I've taken the "fuk it" approach prior to reading this post, but now I see there is a glimmer of hope!

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Guys, don't use oven cleaner on your rims... Aluminum is an alloy, and the oven cleaner chemicals actually change the composition of the metal, just as muriatic acid affects aluminum. End result is black discoloring that cannot be removed unless possibly refinished... If the damage caused is light. Just an FYI

Track pads are metallic, and will actually send small bits that burn into your wheels. It's one reason track rats have dedicated track wheels and tire sets.

Dont' wax wheels, use a product called REJEX or a Sealant such as Opti-seal. They are far more effective at keeping brake dust embedding vs std car wax. And get your wheels cleaned off as soon as you can after a track day, the longer you let the crud sit on the wheels the more it will etch in.

Just used some sonax to clean my wheels. I then apply twice a year Griots paint sealant. Shines and protects for months. The brake dust does not seem to adhere as quickly after I put on the paint sealant.